Placer County Power Outage History
2016–2025 · California
Worse than average — more frequent or longer outages than most counties. How grades are calculated
Outages by year
Outages by month (seasonality)
Worst outage events on record
| Date | Duration | Customers affected | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 4, 2024 | 119 hrs | 55,153 (29%) | Heavy Snow |
| Oct 9, 2019 | 4 hrs | 47,143 (25%) | Strong Wind |
| Oct 9, 2019 | 5 hrs | 46,564 (24%) | Strong Wind |
| Oct 9, 2019 | 1 hrs | 46,361 (24%) | Strong Wind |
| Oct 9, 2019 | 1 hrs | 43,131 (23%) | Strong Wind |
Over the 10 years from 2016 to 2025, Placer County recorded 1,541 distinct power outage events, averaging 3.8 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Placer County started February 4, 2024 (Heavy Snow), lasting 119 hours and leaving up to 55,153 customers without power (29% of the county) at its peak.
October has historically been the worst month for outages in Placer County, with 213 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Placer County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 29th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Placer County's outage profile
See more picks in our Best Dual-Fuel Portable Generators for Power Outages roundup.
Champion Power Equipment 4375-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with Free 3-Year Warranty
Outage-prep kit
See our outage-prep guides.
Similar counties in California
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Placer County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Colusa County | D | 28th |
| Monterey County | D | 27th |
| Madera County | D | 27th |
| Glenn County | D | 32nd |
| San Mateo County | D | 32nd |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Placer County?
Between 2016 and 2025, Placer County recorded 1,541 outage events, averaging 3.8 hours each.
What is Placer County's reliability grade?
Placer County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 29th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Placer County?
The worst outage on record started February 4, 2024 (Heavy Snow), lasting 119 hours and affecting up to 55,153 customers.